Memphis Local, Sports, Business & Food News | Daily Memphian | Brandon LaGrone II

A legacy of pride: Civil Rights Museum launches Bayard Rustin Institute to inspire ‘angelic troublemakers'

blagrone@dailymemphian.com (Brandon LaGrone II) — Tue, 9 Jun 2026 15:40:23 -0500

As a gay man operating in a homophobic era, Bayard Rustin was often forced into the background of the Civil Rights Movement, despite his critical role as a trusted adviser to Martin Luther King Jr.

Amid high arrest numbers, Memphis Safe Task Force faces lawsuit over First Amendment rights

blagrone@dailymemphian.com (Brandon LaGrone II) — Tue, 9 Jun 2026 04:00:07 -0500

New filings in the case against Task Force officials allege personal intimidation and retaliation. Tyreece Miller, head of MSTF locally, said that “constitutional policing is at the core of everything we do.”

Memphis advisory board finalizes 11 community priorities for $3 million AI fund

blagrone@dailymemphian.com (Brandon LaGrone II) — Fri, 5 Jun 2026 09:41:09 -0500

The board’s recommendations — which still need to pass the City Council — include a $1 million allocation for a pre-weatherization assistance program to help residents with critical home repairs, mold remediation and indoor air quality improvements.

Fueling up for a fight: Kuhn launches congressional bid at Cordova gas station

blagrone@dailymemphian.com (Brandon LaGrone II) — Thu, 4 Jun 2026 11:18:52 -0500

Shelby County Criminal Court Clerk Heidi Kuhn officially launched her campaign Thursday, June 4, for the U.S. House of Representatives in Tennessee’s 8th Congressional District.

With 'Beauty and the Beast' in town, Gaston plays tour guide and Cogsworth is a duckmaster

blagrone@dailymemphian.com (Brandon LaGrone II) — Wed, 3 Jun 2026 14:32:27 -0500

A Memphis native has returned home to take the Orpheum stage — and help his castmates find a good place to eat. Plus, the Peabody ducks are keeping time with the help of a new clock.

Former Memphis Grizzly Tony Allen pleads guilty to reduced charge in Arkansas drug case

blagrone@dailymemphian.com (Brandon LaGrone II) — Mon, 1 Jun 2026 14:11:24 -0500

Allen entered a guilty plea in Poinsett County Circuit Court on May 27.

State prosecutors, civil rights attorneys argue over bail statute

blagrone@dailymemphian.com (Brandon LaGrone II) — Thu, 28 May 2026 12:55:01 -0500

Attorneys squared off in federal court Wednesday over a 2024 state law that changed Shelby County’s bail-setting procedures.

Blackburn says Trump's $1.8B anti-weaponization fund needs 'a revisit'

blagrone@dailymemphian.com (Brandon LaGrone II) — Wed, 27 May 2026 05:36:35 -0500

Blackburn’s comments, which came during a stop in Memphis, are her first on the controversial fund that could be used to pay those convicted of violent offenses in the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol insurrection.

Well versed: A Memphis wordsmith makes history with 'little poems'

blagrone@dailymemphian.com (Brandon LaGrone II) — Mon, 25 May 2026 11:11:33 -0500

“It’s just been amazing what we’ve done with just our sheer talent, just wanting to write and be heard,” Bria Saulsberry said.

Rhyme and reason: City of Memphis inducts inaugural poet laureate

blagrone@dailymemphian.com (Brandon LaGrone II) — Fri, 22 May 2026 18:29:17 -0500

Attendees gathered at Downtown’s Cossitt Library to honor the three finalists for the poet laureate role.

Storybook trail opens at Tom Lee Park

blagrone@dailymemphian.com (Brandon LaGrone II) — Fri, 22 May 2026 18:03:54 -0500

Just in time for summer break, Memphis River Parks Partnership and Literacy Mid-South officially unveiled the city’s first free public storybook trail.

Tic-tac-whoa: Rhodes professor to research combinatorial game theory in Slovenia

blagrone@dailymemphian.com (Brandon LaGrone II) — Wed, 20 May 2026 08:58:18 -0500

Eric Gottlieb has been granted a Fulbright Scholar Award to teach and conduct research at the University of Primorska in Europe.

Splash course: Whitehaven YMCA's public pool opens with promise of free swim lessons

blagrone@dailymemphian.com (Brandon LaGrone II) — Tue, 19 May 2026 15:41:50 -0500

The Robertson Family Aquatic Center opens with a promise of a place to cool down this summer and a mission to prevent drownings among youths.

Jury convicts man of manslaughter in 2022 road rage stabbing of Memphis chef

blagrone@dailymemphian.com (Brandon LaGrone II) — Mon, 18 May 2026 20:25:20 -0500

A jury found Jonathan Brush guilty of voluntary manslaughter in the 2022 road rage stabbing death of Memphis chef Jody Moyt, leaving the victim’s family outraged over the reduced charge.

New pavilions, upgrades coming to Memphis parks, safety concerns linger

blagrone@dailymemphian.com (Brandon LaGrone II) — Sun, 17 May 2026 18:37:47 -0500

The Memphis City Council Parks and Environmental Committee voted on fresh amenities, renovated swimming facilities and expanded summer programs for local parks, and discussed plans for further safety measures.

Final suspect in Young Dolph slaying gets 20-year sentence

blagrone@dailymemphian.com (Brandon LaGrone II) — Fri, 15 May 2026 19:12:44 -0500

Prosecutor Paul Hagerman said Cornelius Smith’s cooperation was vital to securing convictions in the “complex case.”

Navigating the new map: How to find your Congressional district

blagrone@dailymemphian.com (Brandon LaGrone II) — Fri, 15 May 2026 11:40:17 -0500

A new Tennessee Congressional map has left many Memphians wondering what district they’re in, but the Tennessee Comptroller now has resources.

Gang members get 50-year federal sentence for 2019 murder

blagrone@dailymemphian.com (Brandon LaGrone II) — Wed, 13 May 2026 16:54:50 -0500

Two members of a Memphis street gang have each been sentenced to 50 years in federal prison for the 2019 retaliatory killing of a fellow gang member.

Advocates call to halt execution of Memphis man

blagrone@dailymemphian.com (Brandon LaGrone II) — Sat, 9 May 2026 12:34:03 -0500

Community leaders and legal advocates are fighting against the scheduled execution of a 59-year-old Memphis man.

Protesters block entrance to xAI's Memphis data center

blagrone@dailymemphian.com (Brandon LaGrone II) — Fri, 1 May 2026 17:30:32 -0500

Demonstrators outside xAI’s Colossus I data center in Southwest Memphis voice concerns about air pollution in the area.